Confrontation with Copia Over Valet Parking – with Video!

No point beating around the bush, tonight I had a verbal altercation with the owner/manager of Copia Urban Winery & Market located at 1122 Washington Ave. Luckily, my video camera was rolling.

Before we get to the video, let me set the scene. First, I’ve been writing about Copia and others since the beginning of this year — how they consume way too much public parking for their valet service. I wrote the following of Copia in February (see post):

Copia Urban Winery at 1122 Washington Avenue is consuming entirely too much of the 1100 block with their valet parking. How much is too much?

Try 288 feet! (I carry a measuring wheel in my car for such purposes.)

Copia, located about the mid-point of the block, is 75 feet wide (per tax records). So they are taking away 213 feet of parking from adjacent buildings. A little greedy don’t you think?

Now I’m not going to tell any high-end restaurant they can’t have valet parking. That is a necessary function to please their clientele. However a number of their own customers could park on the same street if they didn’t block it off with their orange cones.

I looked through St. Louis’ ordinances online and didn’t turn up any laws regulating valet parking. The City of Clayton, however, has a reasonably defined law (no direct link, search for ‘valet’). They require a license and the city determines the amount of space the valet is allowed to occupy.

St. Louis needs to address the valet parking situation or we risk stagnating the very area we are trying to enliven. You don’t need nearly 300 feet of road to provide adequate valet parking service for a restaurant the size of Copia.

After that post I began making requests of the valets to see their permits, which they did in fact have (see post). For a while Copia placed their valet cones in the street during the evening rush when parking was not permitted on the street (see post). I began making requests to the city, using Missouri’s Sunshine Law, to obtain copies of these permits. From this I learned the city went ahead and issued Copia a permit for basically the entire side of Washington Avenue from 11th to Tucker (12th). The city, it seems, didn’t care they were consuming nearly 300ft of the public street and just somehow that might be a tad too much. Also, never mind that Copia’s physical location is only 75ft wide — sufficient to operate a valet service according to many other cities.

But one of the key things about the permit was some of the phrasing:

All vehicles must be moved to a different location immediately. No cones, traffic control devices nor temporary structures shall be placed in the public right of way at any time. Permit must be on site at all times… …This permit is issued at the discretion of the Director of Streets and may be revoked at any time at his discretion.

I’ve done a number of other posts on valet parking and you can do a search and find those. Most recently I did a post detailing how other cities are addressing this issue. And finally tonight, before heading downtown to help a friend I was at a fundraiser for Ald. Lyda Krewson (as an observer, not a contributor). I had a good conversation with her and Ald. Lewis Reed about the problems with valet parking. Reed’s ward includes Lucas Park Grille in the next block. Copia, on the other hand, is in the 5th ward of April Ford-Griffin. [CORRECTION 10/4/06 10:20am: Reed’s Ward includes the 1300 block of Washington Avenue where the Lucas Park Grille folks take up part of that block on both sides for valet parking. April Ford-Griffin is the alderman in the 5th Ward which has the 1200 block of Washington where Lucas Park Grille is located and consumes both sides of the street routinely. The 1100 block of Washington is in the 7th Ward where Phyllis Young is alderman. 3 blocks, 3 aldermen.] The event was held at Joe Edward’s very fun Pin-Up Bowl in the loop and I took a moment to bend his ear about how he’d need to start working on the valet issue early (btw, he said issues are getting ironed out on the Flamingo Bowl and construction will proceed soon).

Ok, so I drive by Lucas Park Grille and Copia and they both have tons of spaces coned off despite being a slow Tuesday evening. The street literally looks lifeless. After helping my friend I come back to Copia and park my car in front of a building adjacent to Copia in an area where they have a number of cones — you’ll see my gray car in the video. I proceed to remove the cones from the street which catches the attention of the valet guy. We talk and I decide to call the police to enforce the no cones section of the permit.

While I am waiting on the police to arrive the valet guy alerts the restaurant owner (Manager?) who comes out to “chat.” We have a pretty heated exchange, both using some strong language. My camera stops after 3 minute but I got the bulk of it. Finally the officer arrived who was quite nice. I offered my card and explained why I called — as well as apologize for taking his valuable time but that is what the Director of Streets, Jim Suelmann, directed me to do. I also indicated that 4th District Police Captain Filla was aware of the problems of valets and had discussed them recently with residents. The owner then talked with the officer for a bit and soon the owner instructed the valet to remove the remaining cones from the street.

At one point I said, “you don’t know who I am?” It sounds a bit like an ego trip but it was clear he was thinking I was just some guy with a video camera and not the author of popular blog. I was thinking to myself, if this guy knew who I was he probably wouldn’t be saying the things he was saying. I’m used to the politicians being careful what they say or at least telling me something is off the record and waiting until I put the camera away. His candor totally took me by surprise.

Ok, hit play:

Get your protest signs ready…

UPDATE: 10/3/06 @ 11:55pm:

I have emailed a link for this post to the following: Jim Suelmann, Director of Streets; Ald. April Ford-Griffin, Ald. Lewis Reed, Ald. Phyllis Young, Ald. Mike McMillan; Ald. Lyda Krewson; and Downtown Partnership Director Jim Cloar. I did not contact Copia but the owner has my card. If you’d like to contact Copia click here.

UPDATE: 10/4/06 @ 12:45am:

Video guru Antonio French of PubDef.net did an excellent remix of the video. Watch his hip version here.

Urban Review Seeks Ward-Based “Advisors”

You know, I can’t track it all alone. There is simply too much out there to watch. So, I’d like your help in bringing information to the public — a real grassroots effort.

I’d like 28 advisors — one per ward. If we end up with more than one person per ward I may split up duties or ask someone to report on another ward if others are not covered. Ideally these persons would be open to using their names and submitting reports for their ward.

Here are some initial thoughts as to duties:
• Review ordinances introduced by your alderman, summarize development related ordinances.
• Seek out information on public meetings such as planning commission related to projects within the ward.
• Attend neighborhood meetings and/or ward meetings (any party) and report on projects being discussed.
• Provide written updates/reports/summaries for publication on Urban Review with respect to urban design and planning.
• Possibly branch out and develop a ward-based blog similar to that of Steve Wilke-Shapiro’s excellent 15thWardSTL site.

Email me at steve@urbanreviewstl.com if you are interested in serving in this capacity.

This will all serve as the foundation for creating a non-profit group and/or a political action committee to further an urban agenda in the City of St. Louis. We’ll start informally online, have some advisory meetings and then formalize with a legal entity(s) to act as a watchdog, to educate the public on urban planning issues, to push for changes to policy such as zoning and to seek out, recruit and train candidates to run for office (or focus on pushing the current person to be more urban minded).

What are your thoughts? Good idea? Crazy idea? Any suggestions?

Bill to Blight Jefferson from Gravois to Potomac – UPDATED

Ald. Ortmann introduced Board Bill #153 which will blight a large area of South Jefferson from Gravois to Potomac (see map) putting the area at risk for large scale redevelopment. Ortmann will be holding a public meeting on the issue this Thursday (10/5/2006) at the Five Star Senior Center located at 2832 Arsenal, St. Louis Mo. 63118 form 5:30 – 7:30 pm.

From the ordinance detail (9 pages) we know this much:

An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for the S. Jefferson/Gravois/Potomac Area (“Area”) after finding that the Area is blighted as defined in Section 99.320 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, 2000, as amended, (the “Statute” being Sections 99.300 to 99.715 inclusive), containing a description of the boundaries of said Area in the City of St. Louis (“City”), attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit “A”, finding that redevelopment and rehabilitation of the Area is in the interest of the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the people of the City; approving the Plan dated April 4, 2006 for the Area (“Plan”), incorporated herein by attached Exhibit “B”, pursuant to Section 99.430; finding that there is a feasible financial plan for the development of the Area which affords maximum opportunity for development of the Area by
private enterprise

The problem is Exhibit A (area) and Exhibit B (plan) are not found as part of the documentation with the bill on the Board of Aldermen website nor in the City Journal when the bill was introduced. The public, including a resident (block captain) living in the area, are left wondering the full details of the plan. The bill itself is largely boiler plate language so it is these attachments that contain the details. However, at this point the public is not privy to this information. I have left a voice mail with Ald. Ortmann’s secretary requesting said documents.

UPDATE 10/3/06 2:15pm

I received the missing information from Matt Murphy in Jim Shrewsbury’s office (I called him as well). Both exhibits came as one Word document which I have converted to PDF (Note: the weird formatting of some pages appeared in Word when I opened the file). Click here to view the 16-page document which I am hosting on this site since it was not made available through the city’s own website. From the beginning of the plan:

“The S. Jefferson/Gravois/Potomac Redevelopment Area (“Area”) consists of 145 parcels of commercial, residential, split-use and institutional uses as well as vacant lots totaling approximately 18 acres in the Benton Park, Benton Park West and Gravois Park Neighborhoods of the City of St. Louis (“City”). The Area consists of both sides of S. Jefferson Avenue bounded by Gravois Avenue on the north and Potomac Street on the south.”

This document refers to additional items — a land use map and an “acquisition map” which I have requested as well. In my quick review of the plan so far it too looks boiler plate — not much different than the one used on South Grand including prohibiting the use of drive-thru facilities. The plan talks about parking and the screening required but has no real meaningful urban requirements. The plan refers to the existing zoning to rule which, as we know, permits drive-thru facilities. This is an example of where a zoning overlay is needed to improve upon the zoning in the area.

U.S. Senate Race in Missouri Has Four Candidates, Not Just Two

If you pay attention to most local media, mainstream and alleged alternative/progressive, you’d think the upcoming U.S. Senate race was between only two candidates, incumbent Republican Jim Talent and Democrat Claire McCaskill. But two others are on the ballot: Libertarian Frank Gilmour and Progressive (aka Green) Lydia Lewis.

From Frank Gilmour’s campaign site:

For far too long, our votes have been taken for granted; we either vote for the lesser of the two evils or we do not vote at all. My candidacy offers you a choice other than the two main parties. I’m not on the extreme left or the extreme right. I live in the middle, and I believe that most of you feel the same way.

Our politicians give us partisan bickering instead of legitimate debate. If you vote for me it will send a message to the two main parties that enough is enough! I’m not a career politician. I’m a small business owner and a family man. As a lifelong resident of Missouri, I promise to faithfully represent the people of this State. Give me six years to prove to you that I will serve Missouri with distinction and honor – after all, we are the SHOW ME STATE.

From Progressive Lydia Lewis’ campaign page:

Impeachment of President George W. Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney: “I support investigation of charges that the President and Vice-President have committed acts amounting to ‘high crimes and misdemeanors.’ Upon impeachment by the House, if evidence proving the allegations is presented to the Senate, I will vote to remove them. I don’t think any of my opponents would do so.”

Immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq

Repeal the USA Patriot Act (Former Sen. Jean Carnahan (D) voted for it, her replacement, Sen. Jim Talent (R), voted to extend it, and Claire McCaskill (D) supports it)

Enact universal single-payer health care for all

Take money out of politics and government with public financing of election campaigns

Adopt “instant runoff voting” (IRV) to expand voter choice, avoid having to settle for a mere “lesser evil,” eliminate “spoiler” strategies, and insure that candidates are elected with majority support

Renegotiate global trade agreements like NAFTA and CAFTA to protect labor and the environment from abuses by international business interests

Enact serious measures to combat global warming, promote development of clean, secure alternative energy, and promote mass transit and pedestrian, bicycle and rail transportation sources

Prohibit “privatization” of government functions

Prohibit hiring of permanent replacements for striking workers; make locked-out workers eligible for unemployment compensation

Protect reproductive freedom, including a woman’s unrestricted right to choose whether to terminate her pregnancy

I’m not endorsing anyone in this race, I’m simply suggesting the issues are far too important to completely ignore half the people who’ve stepped up to plate to seek the office. You can call them “fringe” candidates all you want but I have a far greater respect for them than anyone that sits on the sidelines and simply votes along party lines.

Herod Posts Comparison Chart Between Self and McMillan

The Herod for License Collector camp are adding more content to their website located at www.patrickherod.com. One page is a Comparison between the two candidates where Herod details his two degrees from St. Louis University, his military experience, work as a union laborer and as a small business owner in the city of St. Louis.

Note: I have been retained by the Committee to Elect Pat Herod as an occasional consultant and to host their website. However, I did not prepare any of the materials on the website. This is not a paid message.